Illuminated Hammock

ABSTRACT

A hammock has lighting elements that extend along the sides of the hammock. The lighting elements are disposed within channels that are inward of the edges of the hammock. The lighting elements are also connected to an elastic loop at one end to make them easily removable from the hammock.

REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) toprovisional application no. 62/672,873 filed on May 17, 2018, thecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to a hammock that has removable lightingelements that extend along the sides of the hammock. There are a numberof hammocks and even one that has lights, but the lights are notremovable, causing an issue if the hammock gets dirty or wet.Additionally, lights right at the top of the sides of the hammock areprone to be damaged, caught on other equipment or ON the person tryingto get in or out of the hammock. Additionally, the lights may notadequately light the interior of the hammock, if the person using thehammock uses the lights to see within the hammock.

Thus, a hammock has been designed to alleviate these issues. There arelighting elements that are disposed away from the edge of the hammockand are easily removable, allowing the hammock to be cleaned withoutworrying about damaging the lights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed a hammock with removable lights thatincludes a hammock body having a first edge and a second edge, the firstedge disposed across the hammock body from the second edge, and alsohaving a third edge and a fourth edge, the third edge and fourth edgeextending between the first edge and second edge and across the hammockbody from one another, a first channel extending along at least aportion of the hammock body, the first channel disposed inwardly in thehammock body from the first edge, a second channel extending along atleast a portion of the hammock body, the second channel disposedinwardly in the hammock body from the second edge; a first supportchannel extending along the third edge of hammock body to receive atleast a portion of a first support member used to hang the hammock at afirst end; a second support channel extending along the fourth edge ofhammock body to receive a second support member used to hang the hammockat a second end; and lighting elements removably disposed within thefirst and second channels.

In some embodiments the hammock also includes a third channel extendingalong at least a portion of the hammock body, the third channel disposedbetween first edge of the hammock body and the first channel, and afourth channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body,the fourth channel disposed between the second edge of the hammock bodyand the second channel.

In some embodiments, there is an elastic loop disposed at one end of thefirst and second channels to be connected to the lighting elements.

In another aspect there is a hammock with removable lights that includesa hammock body having a first edge and a second edge, the first edgedisposed across the hammock body from the second edge, and also having athird edge and a fourth edge, the third edge and fourth edge extendingbetween the first edge and second edge and across the hammock body fromone another, a first channel extending along at least a portion of thehammock body, the first channel disposed inwardly in the hammock bodyfrom the first edge; a second channel extending along at least a portionof the hammock body, the second channel disposed inwardly in the hammockbody from the second edge, and lighting elements disposed within thefirst and second channels, the lighting elements have a hook toremovably engage an elastic loop disposed near one end of each of thefirst and second channels.

In some embodiments, the hammock also includes a third channel extendingalong at least a portion of the hammock body, the third channel disposedbetween first edge of the hammock body and the first channel, and afourth channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body,the fourth channel disposed between the second edge of the hammock bodyand the second channel.

According to another embodiment, there is a hammock with removablelights that includes a hammock body having a first edge and a secondedge, the first edge disposed across the hammock body from the secondedge, and also having a third edge and a fourth edge, the third edge andfourth edge extending between the first edge and second edge and acrossthe hammock body from one another. a first channel extending along atleast a portion of the hammock body, the first channel disposed inwardlyin the hammock body from the first edge, a second channel extendingalong at least a portion of the hammock body, the second channeldisposed inwardly in the hammock body from the second edge, a thirdchannel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, thethird channel disposed between first edge of the hammock body and thefirst channel, and a fourth channel extending along at least a portionof the hammock body, the fourth channel disposed between the second edgeof the hammock body and the second channel, a first support channelextending along the third edge of hammock body to receive at least aportion of a first support member used to hang the hammock at a firstend, a second support channel extending along the fourth edge of hammockbody to receive a second support member used to hang the hammock at asecond end, and lighting elements removably disposed within the firstand second channels and having a hook to removably engage an elasticloop disposed near one end of each of the first and second channels.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe detailed description which follows, and in part will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognizedby practicing the invention as described herein, including the detaileddescription which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present embodiments of theinvention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework forunderstanding the nature and character of the invention as it isclaimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitutea part of this specification. The drawings illustrate variousembodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve toexplain the principles and operations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hammock withremovable lights in a hanging position according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hammock body for the hammock with removablelights of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail elevational view of the channels in the hammock withremovable lights of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the corner of the hammock with removablelights of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a corner of the hammock body showing thesupport members and the elastic loop for the lighting elements;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of one embodiment of a lighting elements accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a power sourceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a hook to be usedwith the lighting elements according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the lighting elements and the hookattached to one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numeralswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is an illuminated hammock 100 positioned asif it were being used—the supports not being illustrated. The hammock100 has a hammock body 102, which is also illustrated in FIG. 2 in aflat, laid-out position. The hammock body 102 preferably has threepanels, two side panels 104,106 and a large central panel 108. Thehammock body 102 could be a single panel or any other number of panelsand still fall with the scope of the present invention. Additionally,the panels need not be situated as illustrated and may run in differentdirections, not have straight line sewing lines, etc. The hammock 100 isillustrated with an attached storage bag 110, which may be separate fromthe hammock body 102 or located in a different location on the hammockbody 102.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the hammock body 102 has a first edge 112and a second edge 114, the first edge 112 is disposed across the hammockbody 102 from the second edge 114. The first edge 112 and the secondedge 114 are preferably associated with the long sides on the hammock100 in FIG. 1. The hammock body 102 also has a third edge 116 and afourth edge 118, the third edge 116 and the fourth edge 118 extendbetween the first edge 112 and second edge 114 and across the hammockbody 102 from one another. As a result the hammock body 102 is agenerally rectangular shape, but could have other shapes that stillfunction to support a person between two supports.

The hammock body 102 has a first channel 120 that extends along at leasta length of the hammock body 102 and the first edge 112. Preferably thefirst channel 120 is disposed inward in the hammock body 102 from thefirst edge 112. See FIG. 3. Additionally, there is a second channel 122that extends along at least a length of the hammock body 102 and thesecond edge 114. Preferably the second channel 122 is also disposedinwardly in the hammock body 102 from the second edge 114. As discussedbelow in detail, lighting elements are disposed within the first channel120 and the second channel 122.

There may be another channel, a third channel 124, that also runs alongthe length of the hammock body 102 and is disposed between the firstchannel 120 and the first edge 112. Similarly, on the opposite edge, thesecond edge 114, there is a fourth channel 126, that also runs along thelength of the hammock body 102 and is disposed between the secondchannel 122 and the second edge 114. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the firstand third channels and the second and fourth channels are made from sidepanels 104,106. In particular, one edge 128 of the each of the sidepanels 104,106 is attached to an edge 130 of the central panel 108.Preferably the side panels 104,106 are sewn to the central panel 108along the edges, preferably using triple stitch lines. However, othermethods of joining the materials made used, e.g., heat sealing,ultrasonically welding, adhesives, etc. Along the opposite but parallelsides of the side panels 104,106, each of the side panels 104,106 isfolded over and then connected to itself to create the first and secondedges 112,114, respectively. As best seen in FIG. 3, there are twoconnection lines (or sew lines) along the first and second edges 112,114. The first sew line 132 is to sew the edge of the side panels104,106 to itself—making that portion a double layer of material. Asecond sew line 134 is disposed between the first sew line 132 and thefirst edge 112. Thus, the two channels 120, 124 and 122,126 in the sidepanels 104,106 along each edge 112, 114 are formed. However, it could bepossible to simply sew a separate piece of fabric along the length ofthe first and second edges 112,114 to create the first and secondchannels 120,122. As such, the side panels 104,106 are not folded overon itself and there may not be third and fourth channels 124,126.

Returning to FIG. 2, there is a first support channel 140 extendingalong the third edge 116 of hammock body 102. At the other end of thehammock body 102, there is a second support channel 142 extending alongthe fourth edge 118 of hammock body 102. Preferably, the first andsecond support channels 140,142 cross the two side panels 104,106 andthe central panel 108. The first and second support channels 140,142 canbe formed by folding the material of the hammock body 102 over andtriple sewing the third and fourth edges. See FIG. 2. At least a portionof a first support member 144 (see FIG. 5) is disposed within the firstsupport channel 140 so that the hammock 100 can be hung at a first end146. At least a portion of a second support member 148 is disposedwithin the second support channel 142 so that the hammock 100 can behung at a second end 150. The support members 144,148 are preferablyhigh strength polyester webbing (like seat belt material) so as tosupport a person using the illuminated hammock 100.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the first and second channels120,122 are not sewn completely along the first and second edges,respectively, to the first and second support channels 140,144. Thereneeds to be an opening 152 into the first and second channels 120,122 ateach end 146,150 to allow access to the lighting elements and to be ableto attach the lighting elements to the hammock body 102. Preferably thesewing stops about 7.5 cm from the end—leaving a 7.5 cm opening 152. Aswill be recognized, the openings 152 could be longer or shorter asdesired.

Turning to FIGS. 4-6, the lighting elements and the components to attachthem to the hammock 100 are illustrated. The lighting elements 160 arepreferably two strands of LEDs that are electrically and mechanicallyconnected to one another at a first end 162, which end is then disposedat the second end 150 of the hammock 100. The second end 164 of each ofthe lighting elements 160 have a hook, described in more detail blow, toattach to an elastic loop 166 attached to the hammock 100. As bestillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, an elastic loop 166 is sewn into the seamthat forms the first support channel 140 at the first end 146 at bothends of the third edge 116 and near the opening 152. It should be notedthat components for the lighting feature can be swapped between thefirst end 146 and the second end 150, either by way of designation ormoving the lighting components between ends. The elastic loops 166 couldalso be attached to the hammock 100 in different places. As illustratedin the figures, the second ends 164 of the lighting elements are at thefirst end 146 of the hammock body 102 and by the first support channel142. The elastic loops 166 are preferably outside the first and secondchannels 120,122 until the lighting elements 160 are attached to them.While the elastic loops 166 are illustrated as being elongated loops,the looping portion may only be along a portion of the length—that is asmaller loop at the end of an elastic cord. It is preferable that theelongated loops 166 when connected to the lighting elements 160 aredisposed within the first and second channels 120,122 during use of thehammock 100.

The lighting elements 160 are connected to a power source 168 at thefirst end 162. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the power source 168 is abattery pack that has a receptacle 170 to receive a plug 162a tomechanically and electrically connect to both strands of LEDs 160 to thepower source 168. There may also be a switch or button 172 that allowsthe user to turn the lighting elements 160 on and off as desired.Adjacent the second end 150 of the hammock 100 is a power source pocket174. See FIG. 2. As will be recognized, when the support members, andthe second support member 148 in particular, are inserted into thesupport channels 140,142, the second end 150 of the hammock 100 (as wellas the first end) is squished together as illustrated in FIG. 5, movingthe power source pocket 174 toward the center of the hammock body 102.The power source pocket 174 may be a completely separate pocket that issewn on to the hammock body 102 or a second piece of fabric attached tothe hammock body creating a pocket therebetween. The power source pocket172 may also have flap with a snap, hook-and-loop closure material, adraw string, or other type of closure to prevent the power source 168from falling out of it.

At the second end 164 of the lighting elements 160 is a hook 180 toengage the elastic loops 166. Illustrated in FIG. 8 is one embodiment ofa hook 180 that can be used. The hook 180 preferably has a snap closure182 or other closure at one end to prevent the elastic loops 166 fromcoming unattached from the hook 180. As another example, even a smallcarabiner could be used. The hook 180 has a second opening 184 at theother end to receive a portion of the lighting elements 160. Thelighting elements 160 can be looped through the second opening 184 andattached to another portion thereof by a heat shrink tube 186. See FIG.9. Preferably the hook 180 does not have a swivel so that the lightingelements 160 are not twisted and possibly damaged.

To install the lighting elements 160, the ends 164 with the hooks areinserted into the first and second channels 120,122, respectively,through the openings 152. This should be done at the end of the hammock100 opposite the elastic loops 166. The lighting elements 160 are fedthrough the first and second channels 120,122, and connected to theelastic loops 166, which should then be disposed within the first andsecond channels 120,122. The lighting elements can then be plugged intothe power source 168 and turned on and off using the switch 172.

Before spreading the hammock 100 out after use and removing the supportmembers, the lighting elements 160 should be removed to as not to affectthe mechanical and electrical connection between the two strands ofLEDs. The lighting elements 160 and the power source 168 should beremoved before washing or cleaning (or submerging in water) to protectthe lighting elements 160.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A hammock with removable lights comprising: a hammock bodyhaving a first edge and a second edge, the first edge disposed acrossthe hammock body from the second edge, and also having a third edge anda fourth edge, the third edge and fourth edge extending between thefirst edge and second edge and across the hammock body from one another;a first channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body,the first channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from the firstedge; a second channel extending along at least a portion of the hammockbody, the second channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from thesecond edge; a first support channel extending along the third edge ofhammock body to receive at least a portion of a first support memberused to hang the hammock at a first end; a second support channelextending along the fourth edge of hammock body to receive a secondsupport member used to hang the hammock at a second end; and lightingelements removably disposed within the first and second channels.
 2. Thehammock with removable lights according to claim 1, further comprising:a third channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body,the third channel disposed between first edge of the hammock body andthe first channel; and a fourth channel extending along at least aportion of the hammock body, the fourth channel disposed between thesecond edge of the hammock body and the second channel.
 3. The hammockwith removable lights according to claim 1, wherein each of the firstand second support members is a high strength polyester webbing.
 4. Thehammock with removable lights according to claim 1, further comprisingan elastic loop disposed at one end of the first and second channels tobe connected to the lighting elements.
 5. The hammock with removablelights according to claim 4, wherein the lighting elements in the firstand second channels have a hook to removably engage the elastic loop. 6.The hammock with removable lights according to claim 1, wherein thehammock body is comprised of three different sections.
 7. The hammockwith removable lights according to claim 6, wherein one section is alongthe first edge, the second section is along the second edge, and thethird section is between the first and second sections.
 8. The hammockwith removable lights according to claim 7, wherein the first channel isin the first section and the second channel is in the second channel. 9.The hammock with removable lights according to claim 4, wherein thelighting elements are powered by a battery source stored in a separatepocket.
 10. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 1,wherein the lighting elements comprise two strings of LED lights.
 11. Ahammock with removable lights comprising: a hammock body having a firstedge and a second edge, the first edge disposed across the hammock bodyfrom the second edge, and also having a third edge and a fourth edge,the third edge and fourth edge extending between the first edge andsecond edge and across the hammock body from one another; a firstchannel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, thefirst channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from the first edge;a second channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body,the second channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from the secondedge; and lighting elements disposed within the first and secondchannels, the lighting elements have a hook to removably engage anelastic loop disposed near one end of each of the first and secondchannels.
 12. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 11,further comprising: a third channel extending along at least a portionof the hammock body, the third channel disposed between first edge ofthe hammock body and the first channel; and a fourth channel extendingalong at least a portion of the hammock body, the fourth channeldisposed between the second edge of the hammock body and the secondchannel.
 13. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 11,wherein the lighting elements are powered by a battery source stored ina separate pocket.
 14. The hammock with removable lights according toclaim 11, wherein the battery source is removably attached to thelighting elements.
 15. The hammock with removable lights according toclaim 11, wherein the lighting elements comprise two strings of LEDlights.
 16. A hammock with removable lights comprising: a hammock bodyhaving a first edge and a second edge, the first edge disposed acrossthe hammock body from the second edge, and also having a third edge anda fourth edge, the third edge and fourth edge extending between thefirst edge and second edge and across the hammock body from one another;a first channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body,the first channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from the firstedge; a second channel extending along at least a portion of the hammockbody, the second channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from thesecond edge; a third channel extending along at least a portion of thehammock body, the third channel disposed between first edge of thehammock body and the first channel; and a fourth channel extending alongat least a portion of the hammock body, the fourth channel disposedbetween the second edge of the hammock body and the second channel, afirst support channel extending along the third edge of hammock body toreceive at least a portion of a first support member used to hang thehammock at a first end; a second support channel extending along thefourth edge of hammock body to receive a second support member used tohang the hammock at a second end; and lighting elements removablydisposed within the first and second channels and having a hook toremovably engage an elastic loop disposed near one end of each of thefirst and second channels.